MP seeks explanation for Shafiya Yamick’s omission from Asian Games team
COLOMBO – All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) leader Kadar Masthan on Friday (23) called on the Sports Minister to explain why national record-holder Fathima Shafiya Yamick was not included in Sri Lanka’s 156-member contingent for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
Masthan raised the issue in Parliament under Standing Order 27(2), seeking clarification on the selection criteria used by the relevant sports federations and the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL).
The announced contingent comprises 100 male and 56 female athletes who are expected to compete in 25 sporting disciplines at the 20th Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Aichi–Nagoya, Japan.
Masthan questioned Yamick’s omission in light of her performances at the 2025 South Asian Athletics Championships, where she won three gold medals in the women’s 100 metres, 200 metres and 4 × 100 metres relay.
Yamick, a former student of Viharamahadevi Girls’ College, Kandy, represents the Sri Lanka Army in athletics. She won the 100 metres in 11.53 seconds, setting a new championship record, and the 200 metres in 23.58 seconds, breaking a 32-year-old championship record held by Indian athlete P. T. Usha. She also anchored Sri Lanka’s 4 × 100 metres relay team to victory in 44.70 seconds.
Masthan asked whether Yamick had been formally considered for selection and, if so, what factors informed the decision to include or exclude her. He also sought clarification on whether her South Asian championship achievements and subsequent performances at national level had been taken into account.
He also questioned why the relevant authorities had failed to respond promptly despite Yamick having written three letters concerning the matter.
Masthan called for the Minister to clarify the selection procedures followed by the sports federations and the NOCSL, and whether steps would be taken to ensure that future selections for major international competitions are transparent, impartial and based on clearly defined performance criteria made available to the public.
-ENCL
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